Motorcycle with system of authorization control

ABSTRACT

A motorcycle ( 1 ) including: an electronic system of authorization control ( 100,200 ); wherein: a first electronic control unit ( 200 ) is adapted and configured to determine whether the motorcycle ( 1 ) is in an authorized or non-authorized usage state and is adapted to interrogate a portable transponder, which can have a master identification electronic code or a slave identification electronic code, in order to acquire said electronic code and to verify if said electronic code is correct; and wherein: if the first control unit ( 200 ) acquires the master identification electronic code, starting the traction engine is allowed independently from the second electronic control unit; if the first control unit ( 200 ) acquires the slave identification electronic code, it is determined that the motorcycle ( 1 ) is in the authorized usage state and starting the traction engine is allowed if it receives consent information from the second electronic control unit ( 100 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical field of motorcycles andin particular it relates to a motorcycle with system of authorizationcontrol.

STATE OF THE ART

Recently, renting and sharing cars as well as motorcycles is becomingincreasingly widespread. By sharing it is intended a short term rental,usually priced according to the time of usage (typically in hours and/orfractions of hours) and/or according to the mileage.

However, in the motorcycle sharing field, peculiar safety problems occurso that these types of vehicles are vulnerable to theft/vandalism eventsor negligence by distracted users thus making the management of themotorcycle fleets for rental use particularly expensive for fieldoperators, on top of compromising in some cases the possibility to rentmotorcycles, with severe inconveniences both for operators and for endusers.

The object of the present disclosure is to make available a motorcycleenabling to solve or reduce at least partially the above describeddrawbacks with reference to the above described prior art motorcycles.

Such an object is obtained by a motorcycle as generally defined in claim1. Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the aforesaid motorcycleare defined in the enclosed claims.

The invention shall be better understood through the following detaileddisclosure of one particular embodiment for exemplary and non-limitingpurposes, referring to the enclosed drawings synthetically described inthe following paragraph.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one exemplary non-limiting embodimentof a motorcycle having a storage container.

FIG. 2 shows a view from above of the motorcycle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a first internal view of one preferred embodiment of thestorage container of the motorcycle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a second internal view of the storage container of FIG. 3wherein two objects are housed inside the container, in particular twohelmets.

FIG. 5 shows a lateral cross section view of an objects presencedetector of the storage container of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows a lateral cross section view of the objects presencedetector of FIG. 5 wherein a helmet is placed on the detector.

FIG. 7 shows a view of an enlarged part of the storage container of FIG.3.

FIG. 8 shows a view of a further enlarged part of the storage containerof FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the enclosed figures same or similar elements will be referred to bythe same reference numbers.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 one first embodiment of a motorcycle 1 is shown, whichin the particular example is embodied, without limitation, by athree-wheel motorcycle or tricycle, including two front steering wheels2 and one back wheel 3.

In the hereinafter description reference will be made to a genericmotorcycle 1, thereby meaning that the following description isapplicable in general to any type of motorcycle 1 including:

-   -   a supporting structure;    -   at least two wheels 2,3 directly or indirectly constrained to        the supporting structure;    -   a traction engine 4, for example thermal or electric or hybrid,        constrained to the supporting structure and a transmission        system 5 adapted to transmit the motion from the traction engine        4 to at least one of the two wheels 2,3.

The supporting structure is for example the frame of motorcycle 1 or anymotorcycle structure 1 coupled to the motorcycle frame and having asupporting function for other structural elements of the motorcycle 1.

The motorcycle 1 includes a storage container 10 fixed, directly orindirectly, to the supporting structure of the motorcycle 1 having aninternal compartment 11 and a closing device 12 movable with respect tothe supporting structure between a closing position and an openingposition in order to prevent the access to the internal compartment 11in the closing position and to allow the access to the internalcompartment 11 in the opening position. In the particular representedexample, the storage container 10 is provided in the motorcycle body 1and is placed beneath the saddle 12, which in this case represents theclosing device 12 of the storage container 10. In this non-limitingexample, the closing device 12 is a device pivotable with respect to thesupporting frame and it is in particular pivotable with respect to thesupporting structure of the motorcycle 1.

In one possible embodiment alternative to the one above described andnot shown in the figures, the storage container 10 might be externalfrom the motorcycle body 1, for example it might be a top box fixed to aluggage rack 13 provided at the rear of the motorcycle. In one furtheralternative embodiment the storage container might be provided at thefront hull of the motorcycle 1.

The motorcycle 1 includes an electronic system of authorization control.

The electronic system of authorization control includes a firstelectronic control unit 200 and a second electronic control unit 100operatively interconnected to each other.

Preferably the first electronic control unit 200 is the ECU (EngineControl Unit) of the motorcycle 1. Preferably the second electroniccontrol unit 100 is a unit intended to carry on safety functions and/orfunctions related to the motorcycle 1 rental. In this case the secondelectronic control unit 100 is preferably arranged inside the storagecontainer 10, for example inside a closed compartment 101.

The first electronic control unit 200 is adapted and configured toestablish whether the motorcycle 1 is in an authorized or non-authorizedusage state. The first electronic control unit 200 is adapted tointerrogate a portable transponder 60, which can have a masteridentification electronic code or a slave identification electroniccode, in order to acquire said electronic code and to verify if saidelectronic code is correct.

Preferably, the portable transponder 60 is a mechanical key withelectronic identification code. Hereinafter, in the present disclosurethe portable transponder 60 shall also be called transponder 60 or key60. For ease of explanation the master identification electronic codeshall also be called master code and the slave electronic identificationcode shall also be called slave code.

The first electronic control unit 200 is adapted and configured suchthat:

-   -   if the first control unit 200 acquires the master identification        electronic code, it is such to determine that the motorcycle 1        is in the authorized usage state and it is such to allow        starting the traction engine independently from the second        electronic control unit 100;    -   if the first control unit 200 acquires the slave identification        electronic code it is such to determine that the motorcycle 1 is        in the authorized usage state and to allow starting the traction        engine 4 if it receives consent information from the second        electronic control unit 100.

For the purposes of what above disclosed by “to allow starting thetraction engine independently from the second electronic control unit100” it is meant that preferably in this case the first electroniccontrol unit 200 can start the engine traction 4 without the consent ofthe second electronic control unit 100, or without an answer from thesecond electronic control unit 100, or without the presence of thesecond electronic control unit 100, or due to an interruption of theconnection between said control units 100, 200, etc.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the first 200 and the secondelectronic control unit 100 are such to communicate with each other bymeans of encrypted digital signals. Preferably said signals areencrypted by an encryption key of which a first part is univocallypaired to the first electronic control unit 200 and a second part isunivocally paired to the second electronic control unit 100. During theassembling step of the motorcycle 1, a pairing process can be providedso that the two electronic units 100, 200 can be obviously paired toeach other to communicate by means of encrypted digital signals, beingcoded and encoded by both units 100, 200.

According to one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the system ofauthorization control includes one LIN BUS or a CAN BUS whichinterconnects the first 200 and the second 100 electronic control unitbetween each other.

According to one embodiment, the system of authorization controlincludes one first interrogating device 90 of the portable transponder60 operatively connected to the first electronic control unit 200.Preferably, the system of authorization control includes a secondinterrogating device 61 of the portable transponder 60 operativelyconnected to the first electronic control unit 200, spatially separatedfrom the first interrogating device and housed in a protected accesscontainer 10 of the motorcycle 1. For example, such protected-accesscontainer is the storage container 10.

According to one embodiment, the second electronic control unit 100includes a wireless communication interface in order to exchange signalsbetween the second electronic control unit 100 and a remote controlcentre. For example the aforesaid communication interface is adapted andconfigured to enable the electronic control unit 100 to communicate in abidirectional way on a telecommunication network of a telecommunicationoperator, which is for example a long-range communication interface GSM,GRPS, UMTS, or a short-range interface such as a Wi-Fi or Bluetoothinterface adapted to connect to a smart phone in order to communicate inany case through a telecommunication network of a telecommunicationoperator.

Preferably the second electronic control unit 100 is such that itreceives consent information from the remote control centre which is forexample the control centre of the rental service provider (for exampleof the sharing service). Preferably such information consent isrepresentative of a rental authorization of the motorcycle 1 provided bythe remote control centre.

According to one advantageous and non-limiting embodiment, the storagecontainer 10 includes at least one presence detector 30 adapted tooutput an electrical signal representative of the presence and/orabsence of at least one object 9 in the internal compartment 11 of thestorage container 10. Conveniently, as in the example represented in thefigure, the presence detector 30 is housed in the internal compartment11 of the storage container 10. By electrical signal representative ofthe presence and/or absence of an object it is intended one electricalsignal which is in a first state when the object 9 is inside the storagecontainer 10 and is in a second state when the object 9 is not insidethe storage container 10.

According to one embodiment, the aforesaid storage container 10 isadapted and configured to house at least an object in the form of ahelmet 9, that is a protection device adapted to be worn by a driver orby a motorcycle passenger 1. In the particular represented example, theaforesaid storage container 10 is adapted and configured to house twohelmets, for example two jet helmets. Furthermore, in the particularrepresented example, the storage container 10 includes two presencedetectors 30, each adapted to detect the presence and/or the absence ofa respective helmet 9 in the storage container 10.

According to one advantageous and non-limiting embodiment, the presencedetector 30 includes one slider 31, being slidable, that is adapted andconfigured to slide between a forward operative position and a backwardoperative position and vice versa. Preferably, in the presence of anobject 9 in the internal compartment 11 of the storage container 10, theslider 31 is such to assume the forward position as a result of a forcebeing applied by the object 9 to the slider 31. In the examplerepresented in the Figures, the slider 31 is such to assume a forwardposition when a helmet 9 is placed on it, as a result of the weightalone of the helmet 9 and eventually of the pressure force applied onthe helmet 9 when the closing device, namely the saddle 12, is in theclosing position, provided that the closing device 12 rests on thehelmet 9 in such closing position.

According to one embodiment, the presence detector includes a switch 40,for example a normally closed switch, operatively connected to theslider 31 in order to be opened or closed by the slider 31 according towhether the slider 31 is in the forward position or in the backwardposition. For the purposes of the present description, by forward orbackward position it is meant respectively a forward or backwardposition of the slider 31 with respect to the switch 40.

Preferably the switch 40 includes one mobile arm 41 adapted andconfigured to be moved by the slider 31 resulting from the sliding ofthe latter between the backward and forward position and vice versa. Themobile arm 41 may for example be pivotable and/or foldable.

The mobile arm 41 may be for example an electrically conductive armadapted to close and open an electrical circuit thus representing inthis case a mobile contact element of the switch 40. In one alternativeembodiment the mobile arm 41 may be a member in turn able to move amobile contact element of the switch 41 other than the arm itself.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, according to one embodiment the slider 31includes one stem 32. For example, such stem 32 has an end portion 32′adapted to abutting interfere with the mobile arm 41 of the switch whenthe slider 31 is in the forward position. Preferably, the slider 31includes one cover element 33 arranged externally with respect to thestem 32 which is shaped in the example as a glass or an over-turnedvase. An end portion 32″ opposite to the end portion 32′ of the stem 32is fixed to the cover element 33.

According to one embodiment, the presence detector 30 includes a guiderail 36 defining a sliding axis of the slider 31. For example such guiderail 36 includes a pass-through channel 37 adapted to be passed throughby a portion of the slider 31 and, in the particular example shown inthe figures, by the stem 32 of the slider 31. Preferably, the guide rail36 includes an external recess 38 coaxial to the pass-through channel37. The presence detector 30 preferably includes one elastic returnelement 34 adapted to maintain and/or return the slider 31 into thebackward position without external forces. In the example, such anelastic return element 34 is an helicoidal spring which is operativelyinserted between the slider 31 and the guide rail 36. For example suchspring is at least partially received in the recess 38 of the guide rail36.

According to one embodiment, the slider 31 includes a first end ofstroke element 35 adapted to define the backward position of the slider31. For example such a end of stroke element 35 includes one ring fixedto the end portion 32′ of the stem 32 of the slider 31, protrudinglaterally outwardly with respect to such end portion 32′. Preferably,the slider 31 also includes a second end of stroke 15 adapted to definethe forward position of the slider 31. For example the second end ofstroke element 15 includes a peripheral edge of the cover element 33,which in the example is a circular edge, adapted to abut with oneabutting wall of the guide rail 36 through the passage of the slider 31from the backward position to the forward position.

Preferably, the aforesaid guide rail 36 is fixed to a storage container10 wall arranged in the internal compartment 11. In the example theguide rail 36 is fixed through one or more fixing elements 39, forexample through one or more screws or pins 39.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the storage container 10includes a bottom wall 18 and a supporting wall 29 of the presencedetector 30 spaced apart from the bottom wall 18. For example, the guiderail 36 is fixed to the supporting wall 29. Conveniently, the supportingwall 29 is such that it can be at least partially received in a recessinside the object 9, having for example the shape of a tower raisingfrom the bottom wall. For example, in case the object 9 is a helmet, thesupporting wall 29 is such that it can be received inside the helmet 9when the helmet 9 is housed inside the storage container 10 so that theslider 31 is in abutment with an internal wall of the helmet 9.

Preferably, the supporting wall 29 is part of a segregation panel 28fixed inside the storage container defining a closed and protectedsection in the internal compartment 11 separated by a remaining part ofthe internal compartment 11. Such section houses one or more electronicdevices, as for example the switch 40 of the storage container 10.

Preferably the second electronic control unit 100 is operativelyconnected to the presence detector 30, for example through electricalconducers, and it is adapted and configured to receive the electricalsignal provided by the presence detector 30 and to discern the presenceor absence of the object 9 inside the storage container 10.

As already stated, according to one advantageous embodiment, the secondelectronic control unit 100 is adapted and configured to remotelyreceive an authorization signal for the rental of the motorcycle 1.Without introducing any limitation, it is for example possible toenvisage that the rental (e.g. the sharing, thereby intending the shortterm rental) is authorised if the motorcycle 1 is in the parking state,if the user has been recognized as an authorized user and if thepresence detector 30 detects the presence of the object 9 inside thestorage container 10, for instance the presence of one or two helmets 9.In addition or in alternative, the presence of the object 9 inside thestorage container 10 (for example the presence of one or two helmetsbelonging to the rental kit including the motorcycle 1 provided by therental provider operator), may determine the condition through which arental control system (e.g. remote) may detect or authorize the end of arental state by an user. Thereby an user, once parked the motorcycle 1with the intention to end the rental, will be taught and/or led to placethe helmet inside the container 10 or not to take it unduly from therental service provider in order to avoid the rental pricing to continueeven after he has left the vehicle and/or to avoid to receive finesand/or complaints by the competent bodies.

In addition or in alternative to what has been described, it is possibleto adopt additional arrangements aiming at further increasing the safetyof the system and/or discourage theft and/or vandalism events byprowlers and/or avoid inconveniences with fair users and/or with therental service provider.

For example, according to one advantageous and non-limiting embodiment,the storage container 10 includes a sensor 70 adapted to detect whetherthe closing device 12 is in the opening position or in the closingposition and wherein said sensor 70 is operatively connected to thesecond electronic control unit 100 to provide an electrical signal tothe latter. Thereby it will be possible to condition the actual end ofrental if the electronic control unit 100 detects the closing device 12in the closing position and if it detects the presence of the object 9(e.g. a helmet or a pair of helmets) inside the storage container 10.For example, as represented in the FIGS. 7 and 8, the aforesaid sensor70 is a switch coupled, by means of a mobile arm 71, to a locking device80 adapted to selectively lock the closing device 12 in the closingposition. The locking device 80 is for example mechanically drivablethrough a key lock and/or electronically drivable for example through arelay, for example to be drivable through a radio control signal forexample receivable by the electronic control unit 100 which can send acontrol signal to the relay.

As above described, the particular embodiments wherein at least apresence detector 30 and/or a closing sensor 70 is provided areadvantageous but non-limiting embodiments.

Preferably, the motorcycle 1 includes a key 60 that can be used to startthe motorcycle 1 (that is a key suitable to start or halt the motorcycle1) herein also called ignition key 60 or portable transponder 60.

Preferably, the motorcycle 1 includes one lock unit 90 preferablyprovided on the limber of the motorcycle 1, or in any case arrangedoutside the storage container 10, wherein the aforesaid key 60 may beinserted to start and halt the motorcycle engine 1 and/or to lock andunlock the motorcycle 1 steering wheel.

The motorcycle 1 includes an electronic device 61 adapted to detect thepresence or absence of the key 60 inside the storage container 10.Preferably, such electronic device 61 is arranged inside the storagecontainer 10, in the internal compartment 11. For example suchelectronic device

61 is fixed to a supporting wall 65 arranged in the internal compartment11.

Advantageously, the electronic device 61 allows to authorise the end ofrental period if an user places the ignition key 60 into the correctposition in the storage container 10. According to one embodiment theelectronic device 61 is operatively connected, directly or indirectlythrough electrical conductors, to the electronic control unit 100 and/orto the electronic control unit 200.

Advantageously, the provision of the electronic device 61 enables tosubordinate the actual end of rental (for example of sharing) in casethe electronic control unit 100 discerns that the key 60 is inside thestorage container 10. In addition, the actual end of rental may also besubordinated to other conditions, for example that also the otherelectronic control unit 100 detects, thanks to the presence detector 30(if provided), the presence of the object 9 (for example a helmet or apair of helmets) inside the storage container 10 and/or detects, throughthe sensor 70 (if provided) if the closing device 12 is in the closingposition.

According to one possible embodiment, the aforesaid electronic device 61includes for example an antenna RFID housed inside the storage container10, e.g. fixed to the wall 65 and the key 60 includes an RF-ID tag thatcan be interrogated via the RFID antenna. It is clear that such RF-IDtag contains (or memorises) an master or slave electronic identificationcode.

For example the aforesaid ignition key 60 is a mechanical key providedwith electronic code (that is a codified key), that is a mechanical keybearing a legible electronic code from the motorcycle 1, for examplefrom the electronic control unit 100 and/or electronic control unit 200,in order to authorize the ignition of the motorcycle 1. For example, theaforesaid electronic code is memorized in the RF-ID tag. For example,the first electronic control unit 200 has a memory unit adapted tomemorize at least an electronic identification code (in this case atleast two codes, that is the master code and the slave code) and it issuch to compare said memorized electronic code through the electronicidentification code of the ignition key 60.

Preferably, a housing seat dedicated to the key 60 is provided insidethe storage container 1, for example a slot inside which the key 60 canbe at least partially inserted in order to be detected by the electronicdevice 61. Preferably the aforesaid housing seat is a separate seat fromthe lock unit 90 provided on the motorcycle 1 front chassis wherein theaforesaid key 60 can be inserted to start and halt the motorcycle engine1 and/or to lock and unlock the motorcycle 1 steering wheel. Preferablythe aforesaid housing seat placed inside the storage container 10 isfree of a mechanical lock. The aforesaid housing seat is for examplefixed to or integrated into the supporting wall 65.

It will be noted that the above mentioned description for the motorcycle1 also corresponds to the description of one process of authorizationcontrol of a motorcycle 1 including:

-   -   a supporting structure;    -   at least two wheels 2,3 constrained to the supporting structure;    -   a traction engine 4 constrained to the supporting structure and        a transmission system 5 adapted to transmit the motion from the        traction engine 4 to at least one 3 of the two wheels 2, 3;    -   a system of authorization control;

wherein:

-   -   the electronic system of authorization control includes a first        electronic control unit 200 and a second electronic control unit        100 operatively interconnected to each other;    -   the first electronic control unit 200 is adapted and configured        to decide whether the motorcycle 1 is in an authorized or        non-authorized usage state;

including the steps of:

-   -   interrogating via the first electronic unit 200 a portable        transponder 60, which can have a master identification        electronic code or a slave identification electronic code, in        order to acquire said electronic code;    -   verifying if said electronic code is correct;

and wherein the process also includes the steps of:

-   -   if the first control unit 200 acquires the master identification        electronic code, determining that the motorcycle 1 is in the        authorized usage state and allowing starting the traction engine        independently from the second electronic control unit 100;    -   if the first control unit 200 acquires the slave identification        electronic code, determining that the motorcycle 1 is in the        authorized usage state and allowing starting the traction engine        4 if the first control unit 200 receives consent information        from the second electronic control unit 100.

From what above described, it is clear that a motorcycle 1 of the abovedescribed type enables to fully achieve the objects fixed in order toovercome the drawbacks of the prior art.

In one non-limiting embodiment it is for example possible to envisagethat a registered user is equipped with a smart phone application tolocalize the on-road position of a motorcycle 1 for rental and send arental request (sharing) of the motorcycle 1 to a remote control centre.After further checking, the remote control centre is such to send arental authorization signal to the motorcycle 1 (and eventually to theregistered user through a smart phone application), and in particular tothe second electronic control unit 100.

The receiving of the rental authorization signal on board the vehicle 1may determine the start of the rental. Such authorization signal allowsto unlock automatically the locking device 70 so that the registered andauthorized user may open the closing device 12 of the storage container10 and have access to the internal compartment 11. Thereby the user maytake the transponder 60, that is the ignition key 60, which is forexample a mechanical key provided with electronic code, and take one ortwo helmets being part of the rental kit. After moving the closingdevice 12 into the closing position the user can insert the ignition key60 in the lock unit 90 to start the motorcycle 1. The lock unit 90 (in aknown way) may allow to read the electronic code of the ignition key 60.The first electronic control unit, being operatively connected to thelock unit 90, can verify the presence and correctness of the readelectronic code, comparing it with one or more memorized codes anddiscern whether it is a master or slave code. As a rental providerusually keeps the transponder with the master code and makes availableto the users one or more transponders with slave code, the firstelectronic control unit 200 will detect that the transponder 60 containsa slave code and will interrogate the second electronic control unit100. If the latter answers in order to provide the consent information,the first control unit 200 will provide the consent to start themotorcycle 1. Thereby the user can cover an authorized trip bymotorcycle 1. Now let us suppose that the user intends to leave themotorcycle 1 to end the rental (and for example to set the end of thetemporary rental period he is chargeable for). The user thus stops andparks the motorcycle 1, removing the ignition key 60 out of the lockunit 90. By means of the key 60 thereof he can eventually unlock thelock device 80 and have access to the internal compartment 11 of thestorage container 10. At this point the user will possibly insert thekey into the housing seat inside the storage container 10 in order forthe electronic device 61 (if provided) to detect the presence of suchkey. Preferably, for example through the first electronic control unit200, the presence and correctness of the key 60 electronic code ischecked again. The user can eventually place the helmet in the container10, positioning it on the slider 31 of the presence detector 30.Thereby, the second electronic control unit 100 detects that the userhas fulfilled his obligations, and this process enables to verify thatthe vehicle (or better the rental kit) is left in a condition suitableto be rent by another user (or by the same user). In doing so the secondelectronic control unit 100 can determine or detect (eventually afterchecking the container 10 closure by means of the sensor 70) the end ofthe rental period by the user and communicate this information to theremote control centre. The system can periodically verify the presenceof the ignition key 60 inside the storage container 10 (and possibly ofthe helmet 9 or helmets 9) when the motorcycle 1 is parked andconsequently inform the remote control centre in order to detectpotential anomalies.

In case, on the contrary, a prowler has a transponder 60 available withslave code (because he has found it, or he has taken it unduly fromanother user o because he has opened forcefully the storage container10) and tries to insert a transponder 60 into the lock unit 90, thefirst electronic control unit 200 will acquire the slave control code,but will not receive the consent information this time by the secondelectronic control unit 100 (since it has not been provided by theremote control centre) and will not allow the ignition of the tractionengine 4. The same will happen also in case the second electroniccontrol unit 100 does not provide such information, for example becauseit is non-functioning or damaged, or because it has been unduly removedor unduly replaced with a second electronic control unit 10 notlogically paired to the first electronic control unit 200.

The rental service provider or the person in charge of the maintenanceof the motorcycles 1 fleet will on the contrary have the transponderwith the electronic control master code and will thus be able toregularly use the motorcycle 1 even without consent by the secondelectronic control unit 200, even in case it has been removed or it isdamaged or non-functioning.

According to one further embodiment it is possible to envisage that thesystem of authorization control includes at least one visual signalelement (for example a light on the dashboard of the motorcycle 1 or inanother position), controlled by the second electronic control unit 100to inform the user on the motorcycle 1 state in order to signal:

-   -   That the motorcycle is available for the rental (for instance if        the light is off);    -   That the motorcycle is in a state of on-going rental (for        instance if the light is fixed);    -   That the motorcycle has been booked for rental (relatively lower        flashing frequency);    -   That the motorcycle is out of order (relatively higher flashing        frequency).

Subject to the principle of the invention, embodiments andimplementation details shall be widely varied with respect to what hasbeen disclosed and illustrated by way of example but without limitation,without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the hereenclosed claims.

1. A motorcycle including: a supporting structure; at least two wheelsconstrained to the supporting structure; a traction engine constrainedto the supporting structure and a transmission system adapted totransmit motion from the traction engine to at least one of the twowheels; an electronic system of authorization control; wherein: theelectronic system of authorization control includes a first electroniccontrol unit and a second electronic control unit operativelyinterconnected to each other; the first electronic control unit isadapted and configured to determine whether the motorcycle is in anauthorized or non-authorized usage state; the first electronic controlunit is adapted to interrogate a portable transponder, which can have amaster identification electronic code or a slave identificationelectronic code, in order to acquire said electronic code and to verifyif said electronic code is correct; and wherein: if the first controlunit acquires the master identification electronic code, the firstcontrol unit is configured to determine that the motorcycle is in theauthorized usage state and is further configured to allow starting thetraction engine independently from the second electronic control unit;if the first control unit acquires the slave identification electroniccode, the first control unit is configured to determine that themotorcycle is in the authorized usage state and is further configured toallow starting the traction engine if the first control unit receivesconsent information from the second electronic control unit.
 2. Themotorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electroniccontrol units are configured to communicate with each other by encrypteddigital signals.
 3. The motorcycle according to claim 2, wherein saidsignals are encrypted by an encryption key of which a first part isunivocally paired to the first electronic control unit and a second partis univocally paired to the second electronic control unit.
 4. Themotorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the control system includes aLIN BUS or a CAN BUS interconnecting the first and second electroniccontrol unit to each other.
 5. The motorcycle according to claim 1,wherein the electronic system of authorization control includes a firstinterrogating device of the transponder operatively connected to thefirst electronic control unit.
 6. The motorcycle according to claim 5,wherein the electronic system of authorization control includes a secondinterrogating device of the portable transponder operatively connectedto the first electronic control unit, spatially separated from the firstinterrogating device and housed in a protected access container of themotorcycle.
 7. The motorcycle according to claim 6, wherein theprotected access container is a storage container.
 8. The motorcycleaccording to claim 1, wherein said portable transponder is a mechanicalkey with an electronic identification code.
 9. The motorcycle accordingto claim 1, wherein the second electronic control unit includes awireless communication interface in order to exchange signals betweenthe second electronic control unit and a remote control center.
 10. Themotorcycle according to claim 9, wherein the second electronic controlunit is configured to receive said consent information from the remotecontrol center.
 11. The motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein saidconsent information is representative of a rental authorization of themotorcycle provided by the remote control center.
 12. The motorcycleaccording to claim 1, further comprising a storage container fixed tothe supporting structure having an internal compartment and a closingdevice movable with respect to the supporting structure between aclosing position and an opening position in order to prevent access tothe internal compartment in the closing position and to allow access tothe internal compartment in the opening position.
 13. The motorcycleaccording to claim 12, further comprising an electronic device adaptedto detect a presence or absence of the transponder inside the storagecontainer.
 14. The motorcycle according to claim 13, wherein theelectronic device includes an RFID antenna housed in the storagecontainer and the portable transponder includes a RF-ID tag that can beinterrogated via the RFID antenna.
 15. The motorcycle according to claim13, wherein inside the storage container there is provided a housingseat dedicated to the portable transponder, wherein said seat includes aslot inside which the portable transponder can be at least partiallyinserted in order to be detected by the electronic device.
 16. Themotorcycle according to claim 13, wherein the storage container includesat least a presence detector adapted to output an electrical signalrepresentative of the presence and/or absence of at least one object inthe internal compartment of the storage container.
 17. The motorcycleaccording to claim 13, wherein the storage container includes a sensoradapted to detect whether the closing device is in the opening positionor the closing position.
 18. A process of authorization control of amotorcycle, the motorcycle including: a supporting structure; at leasttwo wheels constrained to the supporting structure; a traction engineconstrained to the supporting structure and a transmission systemadapted to transmit motion from the traction engine to at least one ofthe two wheels; a system of authorization control; wherein: theelectronic system of authorization control includes a first electroniccontrol unit and a second electronic control unit operativelyinterconnected to each other; the first electronic control unit isadapted and configured to determine whether the motorcycle is in anauthorized or non-authorized usage state; the process including thesteps of: interrogating via the first electronic unit a portabletransponder, which has a master identification electronic code or aslave identification electronic code, in order to acquire saidelectronic code; verifying if said electronic code is correct; andwherein the process also includes the steps of: if the first controlunit acquires the master identification electronic code, determiningthat the motorcycle is in the authorized usage state and allowingstarting the traction engine independently from the second electroniccontrol unit; if the first control unit acquires the slaveidentification electronic code, determining that the motorcycle is inthe authorized usage state and allowing starting the traction engine ifthe first control unit receives consent information from the secondelectronic control unit.